RESUMO
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can induce deleterious changes in the modulatory ability of the vascular endothelium, contributing to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in the long term. However, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Emerging evidence has suggested the potential role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in vascular health and repair. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of IUGR on vascular reactivity and EPCs derived from the peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) in vitro. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed an ad libitum diet (control group) or 50% of the ad libitum diet (restricted group) throughout gestation. We determined vascular reactivity, nitric oxide (NO) concentration, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression by evaluating the thoracic aorta of adult male offspring from both groups (aged: 19-20 weeks). Moreover, the amount, functional capacity, and senescence of EPCs were assessed in vitro. Our results indicated that IUGR reduced vasodilation via acetylcholine in aorta rings, decreased NO levels, and increased eNOS phosphorylation at Thr495. The amount of EPCs was similar between both groups; however, IUGR decreased the functional capacity of EPCs from the PB and BM. Furthermore, the senescence process was accelerated in BM-derived EPCs from IUGR rats. In summary, our findings demonstrated the deleterious changes in EPCs from IUGR rats, such as reduced EPC function and accelerated senescence in vitro. These findings may contribute towards elucidating the possible mechanisms involved in endothelial dysfunction induced by fetal programming.
Assuntos
Células Progenitoras Endoteliais/patologia , Endotélio Vascular/patologia , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/fisiopatologia , Estresse Oxidativo , Vasodilatação , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Gravidez , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
It has been demonstrated that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can program increase cardiometabolic risk. There are also evidences of the correlation between IUGR with low-grade inflammation and, thus can contribute to development of several cardiometabolic comorbidities. Therefore, we investigated the influence of IUGR on circulating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)/Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and TNF-α expression in adult offspring. Considering that the aerobic training has anti-inflammatory actions, we also investigated whether aerobic training would improve these inflammatory factors. Pregnant Wistar rats received ad libitum or 50% of ad libitum diet throughout gestation. At 8 weeks of age, male offspring from both groups were randomly assigned to control, trained control, restricted and trained restricted. Aerobic training protocol was performed on a treadmill and after that, we evaluated circulating mtDNA, cardiac protein expression of TLR9, plasma and cardiac TNF-α levels, and left ventricle (LV) mass. We found that IUGR promoted an increase in the circulating mtDNA, TLR9 expression and plasma TNF-α levels. Further, our results revealed that aerobic training can restore mtDNA/TLR9 content and plasma levels of TNF-α among restricted rats. The cardiac TNF-α content and LV mass were not influenced either by IUGR or aerobic training. In conclusion, IUGR can program mtDNA/TLR9 content, which may lead to high levels of TNF-α. However, aerobic training was able to normalize these alterations. These findings evidenced that the association of IUGR and aerobic training seems to exert an important interaction effect regarding pro-inflammatory condition and, aerobic training may be used as a strategy to reduce deleterious adaptations in IUGR offspring.
Assuntos
Cardiomegalia/prevenção & controle , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/fisiopatologia , Condicionamento Físico Animal/métodos , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/fisiopatologia , Receptor Toll-Like 9/metabolismo , Adaptação Fisiológica , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Cardiomegalia/etiologia , DNA Mitocondrial/sangue , Feminino , Masculino , Gravidez , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
The recently described 'gasomediator' hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been involved in pain mechanisms, but its effect on pruritus, a sensory modality that similarly to pain acts as a protective mechanism, is poorly known and controversial. The effects of the slow-releasing (GYY4137) and spontaneous H2S donors (Na2S and Lawesson's reagent, LR) were evaluated in histamine and compound 48/80 (C48/80)-dependent dorsal skin pruritus and inflammation in male BALB/c mice. Animals were intradermally (i.d.) injected with C48/80 (3µg/site) or histamine (1µmol/site) alone or co-injected with Na2S, LR or GYY4137 (within the 0.3-100nmol range). The involvement of endogenous H2S and KATP channel-dependent mechanism were also evaluated. Pruritus was assessed by the number of scratching bouts, whilst skin inflammation was evaluated by the extravascular accumulation of intravenously injected 125I-albumin (plasma extravasation) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (neutrophil recruitment). Histamine or C48/80 significantly evoked itching behavior paralleled by plasma extravasation and increased MPO activity. Na2S and LR significantly ameliorated histamine or C48/80-induced pruritus and inflammation, although these effects were less pronounced or absent with GYY4137. Inhibition of endogenous H2S synthesis increased both Tyrode and C48/80-induced responses in the skin, whereas the blockade of KATP channels by glibenclamide did not. H2S-releasing donors significantly attenuate C48/80-induced mast cell degranulation either in vivo or in vitro. We provide first evidences that H2S donors confer protective effect against histamine-mediated acute pruritus and cutaneous inflammation. These effects can be mediated, at least in part, by stabilizing mast cells, known to contain multiple mediators and to be primary initiators of allergic processes, thus making of H2S donors a potential alternative/complementary therapy for treating inflammatory allergic skin diseases and related pruritus.
Assuntos
Sulfeto de Hidrogênio/metabolismo , Sulfeto de Hidrogênio/farmacologia , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Mastócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Substâncias Protetoras/farmacologia , Prurido/tratamento farmacológico , Pele/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Glibureto/farmacologia , Histamina/metabolismo , Inflamação/metabolismo , Canais KATP/metabolismo , Masculino , Mastócitos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Morfolinas/farmacologia , Compostos Organotiofosforados/farmacologia , Prurido/metabolismo , Pele/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Protease activated receptor type 1 (PAR1 ) seems to play a role in periodontal repair, while PAR2 is associated with periodontal inflammation. As diabetes is a known risk factor for periodontal disease, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of type 2 diabetes on PAR1 and PAR2 mRNA expression in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gingival crevicular fluid samples and clinical parameters consisting of measuring probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing and plaque index were collected from systemically healthy patients and patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis, at baseline and after non-surgical periodontal therapy. PAR1 and PAR2 , as well as the presence of the proteases RgpB gingipain and neutrophil proteinase-3 were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the gingival crevicular fluid. RESULTS: The periodontal clinical parameters significantly improved after periodontal therapy (p < 0.01). Diabetes led to increased expression of PAR1 in gingival crevicular fluid, and in the presence of chronic periodontitis, it significantly decreased the expression of PAR1 and PAR2 (p < 0.05). Moreover, non-surgical periodontal treatment in diabetics resulted in increased expression of PAR1 and PAR2 (p < 0.05), and decreased expression of RgpB gingipain and proteinase-3 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present data demonstrated that diabetes was associated with an altered expression of PAR1 and PAR2 in the gingival crevicular fluid cells of subjects with chronic periodontitis. Future studies are necessary to elucidate the effects of PAR1 upregulation in periodontally healthy sites and PAR2 downregulation in chronic periodontitis sites on the increased susceptibility and severity of periodontitis in diabetes.
Assuntos
Periodontite Crônica/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Líquido do Sulco Gengival/química , Receptor PAR-1/análise , Receptor PAR-2/análise , Adulto , Periodontite Crônica/complicações , Periodontite Crônica/terapia , Índice de Placa Dentária , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicações , Feminino , Fibroblastos/química , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mieloblastina/análise , Mieloblastina/genética , Mieloblastina/metabolismo , Perda da Inserção Periodontal , Bolsa Periodontal , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Receptor PAR-1/genética , Receptor PAR-1/metabolismo , Receptor PAR-2/genética , Receptor PAR-2/metabolismo , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Erythropoietin (EPO) has been well characterized as a renal glycoprotein hormone regulating red blood cell production by inhibiting apoptosis of erythrocyte progenitors in hematopoietic tissues. EPO exerts regulatory effects in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal degenerative disorder of skeletal and cardiac muscle. In this study, we tested the possible therapeutic beneficial effect of recombinant EPO (rhEPO) in dystrophic muscles in mdx mice. Total strength was measured using a force transducer coupled to a computer. Gene expression for myostatin, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. Myostatin expression was significantly decreased in quadriceps from mdx mice treated with rhEPO (rhEPO=0.60±0.11, control=1.07±0.11). On the other hand, rhEPO had no significant effect on the expression of TGF-β1 (rhEPO=0.95±0.14, control=1.05±0.16) and TNF-α (rhEPO=0.73±0.20, control=1.01±0.09). These results may help to clarify some of the direct actions of EPO on skeletal muscle.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Eritropoetina/uso terapêutico , Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/tratamento farmacológico , Miostatina/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapêutico , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Distrofina/deficiência , Camundongos Endogâmicos mdx , Força Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/metabolismo , Miostatina/genética , Fenótipo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/genética , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/metabolismo , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
Erythropoietin (EPO) has been well characterized as a renal glycoprotein hormone regulating red blood cell production by inhibiting apoptosis of erythrocyte progenitors in hematopoietic tissues. EPO exerts regulatory effects in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal degenerative disorder of skeletal and cardiac muscle. In this study, we tested the possible therapeutic beneficial effect of recombinant EPO (rhEPO) in dystrophic muscles in mdx mice. Total strength was measured using a force transducer coupled to a computer. Gene expression for myostatin, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. Myostatin expression was significantly decreased in quadriceps from mdx mice treated with rhEPO (rhEPO = 0.60 ± 0.11, control = 1.07 ± 0.11). On the other hand, rhEPO had no significant effect on the expression of TGF-ß1 (rhEPO = 0.95 ± 0.14, control = 1.05 ± 0.16) and TNF-α (rhEPO = 0.73 ± 0.20, control = 1.01 ± 0.09). These results may help to clarify some of the direct actions of EPO on skeletal muscle.
Assuntos
Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Eritropoetina/uso terapêutico , Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/tratamento farmacológico , Miostatina/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapêutico , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Distrofina/deficiência , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos mdx , Força Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/metabolismo , Miostatina/genética , Fenótipo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/genética , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/metabolismo , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) and sporotrichosis exhibit similar histopathology and low frequencies of microorganism detection. OBJECTIVES: This study seeks to identify microscopic alterations that can distinguish between these diseases. METHODS: Haematoxylin and eosin stained slides of 171 ATL and 97 sporotrichosis samples from active cutaneous lesions were examined for histopathological alterations. The lesions were diagnosed by isolating the agent (which was not visible) in culture. An intuitive diagnosis was assigned to each slide. The strength of the association between the histopathological findings and the diagnosis was estimated by an odds ratio, and each finding was graded according to a regression model. A score was assigned to each sample based on the histopathological findings. A study of the interobserver reliability was performed by calculating kappa coefficients of the histopathological findings and intuitive diagnoses. RESULTS: The markers 'macrophage concentration', 'tuberculoid granuloma' and 'extracellular matrix degeneration' were associated with ATL. 'Suppurative granuloma', 'stellate granuloma', 'different types of giant cells', 'granulomas in granulation tissue' and 'abscess outside the granuloma' were associated with a diagnosis of sporotrichosis. 'Macrophage concentration' and 'suppurative granuloma' had the highest (substantial and almost perfect, respectively) reliability. The regression model score indicated 92.0% accuracy. The intuitive diagnosis had 82.5% diagnostic accuracy and substantial reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account the clinical and epidemiological context, some histopathological alterations might be useful for the differential diagnosis between ATL and sporotrichosis cutaneous lesions in cases in which the aetiological agent is not visible.
Assuntos
Dermatomicoses/diagnóstico , Leishmaniose Cutânea/diagnóstico , Dermatopatias Parasitárias/diagnóstico , Esporotricose/diagnóstico , Brasil , Estudos Transversais , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Granuloma/patologia , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Macrófagos/patologia , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Coloração e RotulagemRESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: ß(2)-adrenoceptor (ß(2)-AR) activation induces smooth muscle relaxation and endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) release. However, whether endogenous basal ß(2)-AR activity controls vascular redox status and NO bioavailability is unclear. Thus, we aimed to evaluate vascular reactivity in mice lacking functional ß(2)-AR (ß(2)KO), focusing on the role of NO and superoxide anion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolated thoracic aortas from ß(2)KO and wild-type mice (WT) were studied. ß(2)KO aortas exhibited an enhanced contractile response to phenylephrine compared to WT. Endothelial removal and L-NAME incubation increased phenylephrine-induced contraction, abolishing the differences between ß(2)KO and WT mice. Basal NO availability was reduced in aortas from ß(2)KO mice. Incubation of ß(2)KO aortas with superoxide dismutase or NADPH inhibitor apocynin restored the enhanced contractile response to phenylephrine to WT levels. ß(2)KO aortas exhibited oxidative stress detected by enhanced dihydroethidium fluorescence, which was normalized by apocynin. Protein expression of eNOS was reduced, while p47(phox) expression was enhanced in ß(2)KO aortas. CONCLUSIONS: The present results demonstrate for the first time that enhanced NADPH-derived superoxide anion production is associated with reduced NO bioavailability in aortas of ß(2)KO mice. This study extends the knowledge of the relevance of the endogenous activity of ß(2)-AR to the maintenance of the vascular physiology.
Assuntos
Aorta Torácica/metabolismo , Endotélio Vascular/fisiopatologia , NADPH Oxidases/fisiologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/deficiência , Acetofenonas/farmacologia , Animais , Aorta Torácica/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo III/biossíntese , Estresse Oxidativo , Fenilefrina/farmacologia , Superóxidos/metabolismo , Vasoconstrição/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Obesity is strongly associated with high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions synergistically increase the risk of cardiovascular events. A number of central and peripheral abnormalities can explain the development or maintenance of high blood pressure in obesity. Of great interest is endothelial dysfunction, considered to be a primary risk factor in the development of hypertension. Additional mechanisms also related to endothelial dysfunction have been proposed to mediate the development of hypertension in obese individuals. These include: increase in both peripheral vasoconstriction and renal tubular sodium reabsorption, increased sympathetic activity and overactivation of both the renin-angiotensin system and the endocannabinoid system and insulin resistance. The discovery of new mechanisms regulating metabolic and vascular function and a better understanding of how vascular function can be influenced by these systems would facilitate the development of new therapies for treatment of obesity-associated hypertension.